CID sources said the sub inspector and RPC Jude Anthony had already been interdicted from service at the time of their arrest by the CID. The other two reserve police constables were on duty at Koswatte police station.

The victim abducted and killed was Lalantha Fernando (22) of Kuliyapitiya. A C.I.D Officer said that Fernando had been abducted while he was in his uncle’s house at Meegahawela in Koswatte.

CID inquiries revealed that the suspects had come in search of the deceased’s uncle due to a misunderstanding with him, and in his absence they had abducted Fernando.

Fernando had been found by his relatives while he was lying near the Thummodara bridge in Lunuwila, after being assaulted .and tortured.

He had died at the intensive care unit of the National Hospital.

People in the area staged a protest campaign in front of Koswatte police station against the killing.

The suspects were taken into custody by a CID police team which included SI, U.E.C. Rodrigo, SI Jayaweera and PC Rangala.